Power operated can opener with automatic shut off means

Abstract

An electrically powered can opener includes a can cutting element carried on a mounting plate which is pivoted to the can opener frame. An operating lever is connected to the mounting plate for limited pivotal movement beyond which the plate and lever pivot unitarily on the frame. A notched area on the hand lever becomes engaged against a catch member on the frame to retain the lever in place when it is brought into position to shear a can lid. The lever is held against a plunger switch which maintains the motor in its energized condition during shearing of the can lid. After the completion of the shearing when the operating thrust is no longer present, biasing forces acting on the lever disengage it from the catch member and release the plunger for automatic shut off of the motor.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 
     
       1. In a can opener having an upright frame, a feed wheel supported for rotation on said frame, and power means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of: a plate mounted for pivotal movement on said frame;   a cutting element for shearing a can, said cutting element being mounted on said plate for movement therewith into and out of can shearing position;   a hand lever coupled to said plate to effect pivotal movement thereof, said hand lever and plate being coupled for limited movement relative to one another;   a switch mechanism associated with said power means to energize and deenergize same, said switch mechanism being engageable by said hand lever to energize said power means;   a catch member on said frame operable to engagingly retain said hand lever against said switch mechanism during shearing of a can by said cutting element, said plate and said hand lever cooperatingly linked for movement on said frame to automatically release said hand lever from said catch member upon completion of the shearing of the can by said cutting element, said hand lever thereby releasing from said switch mechanism to effect deenergization of said power means.   
     
     
       2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said hand lever and plate are coupled for limited pivotal movement relative to one another to permit said hand lever to engage said catch member and disengage therefrom. 
     
     
       3. The combination of claim 1, wherein said can opener includes a spring member acting on said hand lever to urge same away from said catch member. 
     
     
       4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said can opener includes a camming surface on said catch member for camming contact against said hand lever to position same in engagement with said catch member. 
     
     
       5. The combination of claim 1, wherein said hand lever has a notch defined therein at a location to register with said catch member, said catch member being positionable within said notch to assist in retaining the lever against said switch mechanism. 
     
     
       6. The combination of claim 5, including a camming surface on said catch member for engagement with said hand lever, said camming surface operable to assist in registering said notch with said catch member by camming action. 
     
     
       7. The combination of claim 1, including releasable braking means for restraining the movement of said hand lever upon the release thereof from said catch member to retain a can between said feed wheel and cutting element. 
     
     
       8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said braking means includes a brake member on said hand lever engageable with said catch member to releasably restrain the movement of said hand lever away from said catch member. 
     
     
       9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said brake member includes yieldable spring portions for engaging said catch member. 
     
     
       10. The combination of claim 7, wherein said braking means includes magnetic means associated with said hand lever for magnetically restraining the movement thereof.